Trending: Advancing Humanity

A couple years ago when we decided to name this blog Education to Save the World, we were worried that many people would write us off as too idealistic, naive or otherwise not-to-be-taken seriously. But we feel certain that learning via solving some of the world’s toughest challenges is the best way to educate for the 21st Century.

20th Century thinking separates business strategy or money making from “doing good”. We don’t think these things should be separate and it’s exciting and validating to see how much the tide is turning in our favor.

Here’s the cover of Fast Company this month:

A couple noteworthy quotes:

“Steve Ells and Chipotle (committed to relying on naturally raised meat that is antibiotic- and hormone-free, dropping trans fats and offering organically certified beans and avocados) are hardly alone in embracing what Ells calls a ‘loftier’ vision for the enterprise…A few months earlier, another renegade CEO announced that his company was committed to ‘advancing humanity.’ He claimed that his frame for decision making was moral: ‘We do things because they’re just and right.’ This emphasis on social goods over financial performance seems almost revolutionary — and yet the renegade is none other than Tim Cook of Apple, CEO of the most valuable company in the world.”

“Don’t confuse this with social service. For these folks, a mission is the essential strategic tool that allows them to filter the modern barrage of stimuli, to motivate and engage those around them, and to find new and innovative ways to solve the world’s problems.”

“There is nothing mushy about it — it is pure strategy. Purpose is very idealistic, but at the same time very practical.” – Harvard Professor Hirotaka Takeuchi

“The young workers of today already embrace mission and meaning. ‘Millennials are thinking that there’s a double personal-professional bottom line…you’ve got to make a living, and you want to have an impact. Your work and values have got to be aligned.'” – Sallie Krawcheck, Chair of Ellevate Network